Bible study series on 2 Peter 3
Living in the last days and preparing for the day Christ will come ‘as a thief in the night’
With the whole world on edge due to the Russian/Ukraine crisis and Israel/Hamas/Iran and deep concerns over a devastating third world war it seems like a very appropriate time to study 2 Peter 3. Here, in relatively plain and direct language Peter stirs up first century Christians to holiness, reassuring them that those who scoff about the second coming will regret it. Those who prepare themselves, however, have much to look forward to in the new heavens and new earth.
1. We see in v.1, that one of Peter’s purposes in writing 1 & 2 Peter was to stir up the pure minds of his beloved brethren. Find examples of Peter doing this from 1 Peter and 2 Peter chapters 1 & 2. Be stirred up and stir each other up (exhort one another) with them.
. To stir up means to arouse completely, to wake fully or to wake out of sleep. We see the same word for ‘stir up’ used in the context of waking Jesus from physical sleep (Mark 4:38).
. 2 Peter 3:1 is repeating 2 Peter 1:12-14
. We discussed much in 1 Peter through to 2 Peter 2 which would have been stirring to the dispersed Christians Peter was writing to and which is also stirring to us today. See for example 1 Peter 2:11’s ‘I beg you’ and 1 Peter 1:22’s ‘love one another fervently with a pure heart’. 1 Peter 1:17-19 also said, ‘Conduct yourselves here in fear’.
. One thing we discussed in a little depth was the ‘girding up of the loins of our minds’ in 1 Peter 1:13 because of the precious grace, salvation and revelation we have been given. In scripture, the soldier’s armour was kept firmly together by the belt they were girded with (see also Ephesians 6:10-17(esp. v14). Girding up is therefore important for protection. 1 Kings 18:46 is a scripture about a runner girding up his loins (wrapping up the loin cloth so it wouldn’t hang down) so he could run more effectively without hindrance. We need to deal with anything in our minds hindering us in our spiritual race and opening up a door for the enemy (e.g. 1 Peter 2:11)
2. What was Peter’s reason for stirring up their pure minds by way of reminder?
. he wanted them to be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets and the apostles.
Put simply and briefly, what does he mean in v.2 when he writes, ‘be mindful’ of the words …
. we see the same Greek word for ‘mindful’ in 2 Tim. 1:4 (being mindful of your tears), Hebrews 2:6 (what is man that you are mindful of him) and Hebrews 13:3 (remembering the prisoners as though chained with them).
. being mindful is an active and intentional remembering or to keep something at the forefront of one’s mind.
3. Read v.3-6. Firstly, Peter wanted to stir them up to be on guard against scoffers and scoffing. What is or are the scoffs in this passage? Is there a difference between scoffing and mocking? Define each.
. the scoffs included, ‘Jesus is not coming back’, ‘God’s not going to keep His promises’, ‘Jesus, or God won’t punish us’, ‘your belief is nonsense/fantasy, ‘you’re wasting your time and life and missing out on enjoying yourselves’ and ‘Noah’s flood never happened’.
. 1703 in the Strongs Concordance translated ‘scoffers’ “a mocker, by implication a false teacher (also used in Jude 18) , a derider
. 1702 in the Strongs “mock, mockers, to play, to sport someone
. Dictionary.com defines a scoffer as ‘a person who mocks or makes fun of someone or something and a mocker as someone who jeers or mocks or treats someone with contempt
. a scoff is more directed at an idea, whilst a mock at the person
4. Was the scoffing in v.3-4 relevant to their day? Can the phrase ‘last days’ in v.3 apply to their day? Give supporting scriptures.
. 1 Peter 1:20 indicates Peter’s understanding they were in the ‘last times’.
. Acts 2:17, Hebrews 1:2 & 1 John 2:18 indicate the ‘last days’ in v3 apply to their day and on into our day
5. How do you feel or react when you hear scoffing against Christ, Christianity or the Bible?
. some of us get motivated to respond to or counteract the scoffing, including praying for the scoffer, writing letters to paper, doing something to show Christianity in a positive light. We also try not to argue and to be gentle with all men. (see 1 Peter 3:15-17 and 2 Tim 2:24-26)
6. What are the major scoffs against Christ, Christianity or the Bible we hear today?
. fairytale/myth, Bible contradictions, Bible unreliable because it allegedly came like Chinese whispers, Christians are hypocritical, holier than thou, judgmental, anti-intellectual, homophobic, intolerant and condescending. What kind of Father sacrifices His Son/the gospel doesn’t make sense.
. Respond to some of these scoffs. We need to be especially strong in sharing the gospel in ways that can relate to people e.g.it is related to everyone’s need for love, acceptance, eternal life, seeing our loved ones again, remedying our guilt and insufficiency. Sacrifice is considered an honourable thing in our culture (e.g. ANZAC DAY)
7. Why do scoffers scoff? Can you find one answer to this question in v.3-6? Are there other reasons too you can share? It is helpful to identify why a person is scoffing so we can know how best to respond.]
. v3 shows they scoff because they just want to continue to enjoy walking after their lusts and they don’t want to hear people saying they are sinning. It will be helpful in our response not to be come across as judgmental or condemning.
. v5 shows some scoff because they are wilfully ignorant. Praying against their wilfulness is going to be critical. Seek God for a way to open their mind.
. people also may scoff because they have been brought up in unbelief, ignorance and hostility to God. Our response could be to give them one piece of knowledge or a question to think about as an appetiser.
. some scoff because they are backslidden from Christ due to bad experiences in the church. Perhaps briefly sharing a positive experience you’ve had may help.
. people scoff because they are unregenerate, which can also include they are mean and cruel (i.e. they have not been born again and don’t have the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14). Our response to those who are mean and cruel should be to be ‘as wise as serpents and harmless as doves’. We also need to show patience and understanding toward them, remembering we were unregenerate once too.
8. Have you experienced the scoffs or mocking of others because of your faith? How did you deal with that? How did Jesus deal with this issue in His life? Give some examples.
. we see Jesus dealing with scoffing in Matthew 12:24-30, John 8:13-19, Matthew 22:23-33 and Luke 7:36-47. We noticed His response to scoffing included responding with reason and teaching, challenge, seeking to convict and warn. He addresses the scoffs with confidence, without arrogance and points out their ignorance. He also finds common ground by using their own principles to convict them (such as how I like to use ANZAC Day, which is very important in our culture, to relate the suffering/sacrifice aspect of the gospel).
. there was also a time when he just responded to mocking and scoffing with silence, especially during his trial and crucifixion experience.
9. Brethren to share Bible verses from other parts of the Bible on the subject of scoffing or mocking?
10. Can Christians fall into inappropriate scoffing or mocking behaviour? Are there some subtle or not so subtle ways we scoff that we might not be aware of and need reminding of?
11. What delusion were the scoffers in v.4 under? In your mind, what are the major delusions people are under today? Be brief. What was the biggest delusion you think you were under before you were born again? What do you remember about your eyes being opened?
12. Did Christ’s teachings deal with delusions at all? If so, give examples.
13. Can you find any verse saying Noah experienced scoffing or mocking when he was building the ark? (there aren’t any) What factors make it likely he was? How do you think Noah overcame and completed the Ark in the face of all he was likely to have experienced in the process?
14. How significant is the scoff in v.4 today and has this scoff evolved much since Peter’s day?
15. Are there any further observations about v.5-7 you want to share.
16. What in 2 Peter 3 indicates Peter is writing about the day of Christ’s Second Coming?
17. In v.7, what future events are linked to the promise of Christ’s coming?
18. In one sense, especially today, the scoff ‘where is the promise of His coming’ in v.4 is an understandable scoff due to 2000 years having since elapsed and in light of scriptures suggesting to first century Christians that Christ’s coming could be imminent. How does Peter’s answer to the scoff in v.8-9 help Peter’s audience then, and how does it help us today?
19. Why the ‘But’ at the start of v.10?
20. What does the day of the Lord coming ‘as a thief in the night’ mean? Find and study similar verses where this phrase ‘as a thief in the night’ occurs.
21. What do you notice is repeated the most from v.7-13? Can you find scriptures in other parts of the New Testament where fire and the Second Coming are seen together?
22. What in v.10-17 is given utmost importance in terms of preparing for Christ’s coming/day of the Lord? Note particularly the therefores in v11-12, 14 & 17. Find and briefly share any scriptures elsewhere you think are making the same essential point.
The next questions particularly may find us having different points of view and drawing different conclusions, but let’s be charitable to one another and keep studying with open minds. We have an enormous amount that unites us, especially the gospel, our love for Christ and our belief the Bible is God’s word, so I pray prophetic differences in areas where we may ‘see through a glass darkly’ won’t be a significant issue.
23. What does v12’s ‘looking for and hastening the coming of the day’ mean? Some say we can speed up Christ’s coming. Others say the day is appointed and we can’t bring it forward. In which camp do you fall and why? If you say we can speed it up – how? If you say the day has been appointed and can’t be changed, which scriptures do you say support this view.
24. What is the key or ultimate hope Peter is emphasising to the brethren in this passage? Do you think he is suggesting it is to be realized very shortly after Christ’s second coming? Why or why not?